AHRC researchers have an opportunity to win the first iawards. The government recently announced the launch of the iawards, the first public awards recognising high achievement in science, technology and innovation.
The aim of the iawards is to identify and promote new technologies, creating commercial interest around them and emphasising the world-class science behind them.
The iawards present a great opportunity for arts and humanities researchers to showcase the innovation elements of their work, giving them the potential to engage with a broad non-academic audience.
The iawards are designed to help bridge the gap between the commercial sector and the general public by highlighting how innovation affects us all in our everyday lives.
The awards are backed by UK science minister Lord Drayson and entrepreneur James Caan, who share the view that innovation will be the driver of our economy in the years ahead.
BIS and James Caan believe the time is right for these awards - Britain needs new ideas and products to drive economic growth. Innovation is critical to surviving the downturn and to realising a positive future built on wealth creation, skilled jobs and effective public services. New ideas and products will provide the economic foundation from which we can build Britain's future.
The awards categories reflect the greatest challenges we face as a country, where science and innovation offer the best chance of developing viable solutions. Each entry must demonstrate how its innovative qualities relate to at least one of the following challenges:
• Addressing the healthcare needs of an ageing society
• Increasing international security, from tackling global poverty to the minimising the threat of terrorism
• Preserving finite natural resources in the face of population growth and climate change
• Delivering public services which make best use of new technologies
To find out more about the iawards or to enter the awards, please visit the website.
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Media contact: Emi Spinner, 0117 9876 770
About Arts and Humanities Research Council ‐ Each year the AHRC provides approximately £102 million from the Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from languages and law, archaeology and English literature to design and creative and performing arts. In any one year, the AHRC makes approximately 700 research awards and around 1,350 postgraduate awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. Arts and humanities researchers constitute over a quarter of all research‐active staff in the higher education sector. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.